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B_C_E_75
Inspiring
November 11, 2025
Question

Is there a way to change multiple file type associations at once?

  • November 11, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 65 views

I like testing out the Beta of Photoshop, but I don't always want to use it as sometimes it feels a little laggy and I don't want to have to go in and set up all my brushes and workspace and stuff. Unfotunately, Bridge always defaults file type associations to the Beta version. Is there a way to change every file type association to the regular release of photoshop at once or a way to exclude the beta version of a program? If not, there should be. 

2 replies

_wckdTall_
Inspiring
May 28, 2026

Had the same issue today, and found the source file for the preferences to batch update on mac.

File is located here:
'/Users/<<YOURUSERNAME>>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Bridge 2026/AdobeBridgeOpenerPreferences.xml'

The tricky part was, the lines triggering Photoshop Beta, were just generic:
<item description="$$$/Bridge/OpenersXML/Description/ARQ=ARQ" extensions="arq" app_name="Photoshop">

Changing one file type association changed to an absolute path:
<item description="$$$/Bridge/OpenersXML/Description/Alias=Alias" extensions="pix" app_name="Adobe Photoshop 2026 27.6" app_path="/Applications/Adobe Photoshop 2026/Adobe Photoshop 2026.app">

What worked for me, was to open the file and search:
app_name="Photoshop">

Replace with:
app_name="Adobe Photoshop 2026 27.6" app_path="/Applications/Adobe Photoshop 2026/Adobe Photoshop 2026.app">

Save xml, and reopen bridge.

Now everything is opening in the PS version I want, and I still have beta installed. You will of course have to customize based on program version. Using VS code, bridge editing the pref immediately showed me the app_path change.

gary_sc
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 11, 2025

No, there is not (and I've been asking for this for at least 10 years).

 

There should be a command that let's (e.g.) Photoshop Beta controls to Photoshop 2026. Realizing that there may be issues, such as when capabilities and/or other applications move on. For example, when Flash was removed many years ago, there would have been issues in such a global change. But the extra time involved in dealing with this would have been insignificant to amount of time saved otherwise.

B_C_E_75
B_C_E_75Author
Inspiring
November 11, 2025

Thanks, Gary! 

 

It sure would be handy, but if they haven't fixed it in 10 years, then I guess it's not going to happen.